Are you looking for a delicious and quick meal to make for your family? Look no further! These Cheesy Mashed Potato Cakes are the perfect solution. They are made with leftover mashed potatoes, so you can put those leftovers to good use! Plus, they are soft and creamy on the inside, and golden and crispy on the outside. Your kids will love these potato cakes, and they are so simple to make. Let’s get started!

Keeping Kids Busy Indoors

During the summer season, there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy with your family. But what do you do when it’s raining outside? You need to keep your kids occupied indoors. This is the perfect opportunity to bond with your children and have fun together. Whether it’s painting, playing board games, or doing pretend play, there are so many ways to enjoy quality time with your little ones.

Quick and Nutritious Meals

After a day of playing with your kids, it’s important to refuel with a nutritious meal. Instead of ordering takeout, why not cook something quick and delicious at home? These Mashed Potato Cakes are the perfect option. They are healthy, easy to make, and packed with flavor. You can prepare them in under 20 minutes, so they are ideal for busy parents.

How to Make Potato Cakes

Making these potato cakes is a breeze. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the potatoes

Boil a few potatoes and mash them with a small piece of butter. Alternatively, you can use leftover mashed potatoes if you have any. Make sure the mashed potatoes are not too liquidy.

Step 2: Add extra ingredients

To the mashed potatoes, add an egg, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped herbs (such as scallions), and crushed garlic. Mix all the ingredients together.

Step 3: Shape the potato cakes

Divide the mixture into small portions and shape them into little cakes. Gently flatten each cake to a thickness of about 1.5 inches.

Step 4: Fry the potato cakes

Lightly coat each cake in cornstarch and fry them in vegetable oil until they are golden brown and crispy on both sides. Transfer the cakes to a towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil.

Serving Suggestions

These potato cakes are best enjoyed while still warm. You can serve them as they are, or with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh dill. It’s a refreshing combination that complements the flavors of the potato cakes perfectly.

Bonus Recipe: Brown sugar caramel pound cake 

The aroma of freshly baked cake, the rich caramel drizzle, and the satisfying sweetness of brown sugar – these are the elements that come together in the irresistible Brown Sugar Caramel Pound Cake. This delectable dessert is not only easy to make but also budget-friendly, making it a delightful treat for any occasion. In this article, we will explore the ingredients, preparation steps, and the delightful experience that this cake offers.

The Ingredients

The beauty of the Brown Sugar Caramel Pound Cake lies in its simplicity, using everyday ingredients that come together to create a harmonious blend of flavors. Here are the key components:

1. Butter: 1 ½ cups of softened butter form the base of the cake, lending a rich, creamy texture and a buttery flavor that is quintessential in pound cakes.
2. Brown Sugar: A combination of 2 cups of light brown sugar and 1 cup of granulated sugar provides the cake with its distinctive sweetness and a hint of caramel flavor.
3. Eggs: 5 large eggs add moisture, structure, and richness to the cake batter.
4. Flour: 3 cups of all-purpose flour, combined with baking powder and a pinch of salt, give the cake its structure and texture.
5. Milk: 1 cup of whole milk adds moisture and helps create a tender crumb.
6. Toffee Chips: A delightful addition, a bag of toffee chips (such as Heath) adds bits of toffee goodness, creating pockets of sweetness throughout the cake.
7. Pecans: Chopped pecans, 1 cup, provide a delightful crunch and a nutty flavor that pairs wonderfully with the caramel.

The Preparation

Creating this heavenly cake involves several straightforward steps:

1. Preparing the Pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F and prepare a 12-cup Bundt pan by either spraying it with cooking spray or greasing it and dusting it with flour.
2. Creaming the Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until it becomes creamy. Add the brown and granulated sugars, and continue beating until the mixture is light and fluffy.
3. Adding the Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. This step helps create a smooth and even texture.
4. Combining Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet batter, alternating with the milk, and mix until just combined.
5. Adding Toffee Chips and Pecans: Stir in the toffee chips and chopped pecans, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
6. Baking: Spoon the batter into the prepared Bundt pan and bake for approximately 85 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the cake comes out clean. To prevent excessive browning, you can cover the cake with foil while baking.
7. Cooling: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully remove it from the pan and let it cool completely on a wire rack.

The Caramel Drizzle

No Brown Sugar Caramel Pound Cake would be complete without its signature caramel drizzle. Here’s how to make it:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine sweetened condensed milk and brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking frequently.
2. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and continue whisking for 8 minutes until the caramel thickens.
3. Remove from heat and whisk in the butter and vanilla extract. Let the caramel cool for 5 minutes before using.

The Experience of Enjoyment

Slicing into a Brown Sugar Caramel Pound Cake is a moment of sheer delight. The cake’s texture is perfectly tender, with the toffee chips adding pockets of sweetness and the pecans providing a satisfying crunch. The rich and buttery flavor of the cake pairs seamlessly with the luscious caramel drizzle, creating a symphony of tastes that dance on the palate.

In conclusion, the Brown Sugar Caramel Pound Cake is a testament to the beauty of simplicity in baking. With readily available ingredients and straightforward preparation steps, it delivers a dessert that is both delicious and satisfying. This cake is a delightful addition to any gathering, whether it’s a family dinner, a potluck, or a special celebration.

So, the next time you’re in the mood for a sweet treat that brings together the goodness of brown sugar, the allure of caramel, and the comfort of a classic pound cake, consider whipping up this easy and budget-friendly masterpiece. Share it with loved ones, savor each bite, and relish in the delightful experience that is the Brown Sugar Caramel Pound Cake.